Bloomingdale’s Enlists Beetle Bailey And Popeye For Military Chic Nationwide Retail Program Inspired By The Comic Icons

Bloomingdale’s and bloomingdales.com to Showcase Limited-Edition Merchandise for Men and Boys from Oct. 1 to Jan. 31

NEW YORK, September 28, 2011 – Looking for a few good men to join its ranks, Bloomingdale’s has recruited two of the most iconic military characters of all time — Beetle Bailey and Popeye the Sailor — for an innovative program with one of the nation’s most prominent retailers. Through a unique collaboration with King Features Syndicate and fashion innovator Darren Romanelli, known for his popular fashion brand Dr. Romanelli (DRx), Beetle Bailey and Popeye will serve as the inspiration behind an exclusive Americana and military-infused collection for men and boys. Debuting nationwide at 34 Bloomingdale’s stores this weekend and online, the limited-edition merchandise will feature high-end apparel, accessories, and collectible items from renowned brands including Converse, Medicom, Psycho Bunny, Junk Food Clothing and Altru, among others.

Beetle Bailey has called to duty his military counterpart Popeye for this exciting national retail program that brings together the world’s laziest private and the mightiest mariner for the first time in history. Combining the original cartoon designs of legendary Beetle Bailey cartoonist Mort Walker and Popeye creator Elzie Crisler Segar with today’s hottest fashion trends, Darren Romanelli has curated a collection that stays true to the classic properties and celebrates both the Army and Navy. The retail program has been in development for several months following an initial showcase which starred Beetle Bailey earlier this year at PROJECT New York, the leading advanced contemporary fashion event, where it there captured the attention of Bloomingdale’s.

“Collaborating with King Features to provide our customers with new and exclusive products inspired by comic icons like Popeye and Beetle Bailey is what makes the Bloomingdale’s shopping experience unique,” says Kevin Harter, vice president of fashion direction for Bloomingdale’s. “The collection is fashion forward and fun, which will certainly resonate with our customers.”

From Oct. 1 through Jan. 31, Bloomingdale’s will have special boutiques dedicated to the major retail program in-store and will feature the product on bloomingdales.com. The Beetle Bailey and Popeye collection will feature 52 SKUs of high-concept merchandise ranging in price from $26 to $1785 for an array of exclusive items, including Converse shoes, Medicom collectible toys, jackets, sweaters, pants, t-shirts, bags and hats. Bloomingdale’s will showcase the program during its annual “New York Nights” events that will take place on October 12 at 12 store locations around the country.

Bloomingdale’s flagship 59th Street store in Manhattan will be prominently spotlighting the Beetle Bailey and Popeye collection in their famed Third Avenue windows from October 6-17.

From Oct. 13-16, King Features will collaborate with Bloomingdale’s to exhibit at New York Comic Con, the East Coast’s biggest popular culture convention. Coordinating with the Army vs. Navy design theme, King Features’ booth will showcase a Bloomingdale’s pop-up shop where attendees can purchase the Beetle Bailey and Popeye merchandise available only at Bloomingdale’s. In addition, Comic-Con attendees will be eligible to receive a VIP card that will provide them with an exclusive discount on the King Features merchandise at Bloomingdale’s. This offer will be eligible for in-store purchases on this exclusive merchandise only from October 13- 30. Visit King Features and Bloomingdale’s at Booth #1259 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

“Americana is red hot and nobody exemplifies this trend better than Beetle Bailey and Popeye. Together with cutting edge designer Darren Romanelli, we have created a hip collection that re-envisions these classic characters like never before,” said David Golzman, Manager of North American Licensing for King Features Syndicate. “Bloomingdale’s is an American institution, making it the perfect partner to join with these two pop culture icons in the celebration of Americana and the military.”

“We are creating a whimsical approach to Americana, and, simultaneously,

showcasing tastemaker culture in a very unique format,” said Darren Romanelli. “Americana is the myth and legend of my country and I’ve grown to love it over the years. The stories of adventurers, artists and everyday folk are woven together in an epic and ever-evolving narrative that plays over and over in my mind. With this new collection, I wanted to pay tribute to one of the most classic rivalries the USA has to offer: ARMY vs NAVY.”

About Bloomingdale’s

Bloomingdale’s is America’s only nationwide, full-line, upscale department store and a division of Macy’s, Inc. It was founded in 1872 and currently operates 41 Bloomingdale’s stores and 4 Bloomingdale’s, The Outlet Stores in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, Minnesota, Georgia, Florida, Nevada, and California. In addition, Bloomingdale’s has an international presence with a location in Dubai. Be sure to follow Bloomingdale’s on Facebook or Twitter, and for more information, or to shop any time, visit www.bloomingdales.com.

About King Features Syndicate

King Features Syndicate is a member of Hearst Entertainment and Syndication Group, which combines Hearst Corporation’s cable network partnerships, TV programming activities, newspaper syndication and merchandise licensing operations. King Features is one of the largest and most experienced organizations in merchandise licensing and entertainment. It represents some of the most recognizable global brands, including Betty Boop, Popeye the Sailor Man, Olive Oyl and Romero Britto.